Charging through Willaha. The Grand Canyon Railway's two steam engines charge southbound through the rural crossing at Willaha County Road (MP 37.7) with a special edition of the Williams Flyer. Road engine #4960's massive tanker tender towers over the cross-bucks as it flies by my camera. This tender is significantly larger than the one which served the 4960 during her years on the Burlington Route. When she was converted from a coal-burner to an oil-burner by the Grand Canyon Railway, this tender was specially constructed for her and is designed to carry large quantities of both fuel oil and water on the long, 64 mile runs from Williams to the Canyon Village. The 4960 is the Grand Canyon Railway's primary power on the monthly steam trips, although in the past couple of years, the 29 has also been featured. The 29's Form 4 will be expiring in 2019 however, and at least as of now, the word on the street is that the railroad does not intend to recertify the boiler. So after 2019, it would appear as if the 4960 will be the only steam power on the line.
